Ardeshir Mohasses: The Rebellious Artist

In 1972, filmmaker Bahman Maghsoudlou created a documentary short on Ardeshir Mohasses (1938–2008)—one of the most original and controversial artists in 20th century Iran—and then returned to his subject 36 years later, when Mohasses was featured in a New York–based retrospective. Ardeshir Mohasses: The Rebellious Artist offers a compelling overview of Mohasses' work and the tumultuous social and political influences that fueled his output in a nation where the governing regimes did not encourage provocative displays of artistic expression. Specializing in black-and-white illustrations that could double as political cartoons or gallery fare, Mohasses presented a surreal view of Iran as a country in a constant state of physical and intellectual self-immolation. Warnings from the Shah's secret police on the boundary-breaking nature of his drawings forced Mohasses to relocate to New York in 1976, where he began publishing in such diverse outlets as The New York Times and Playboy. Mohasses' work is jolting and often grotesque, yet also strangely moving in its portrayals of oppression and tyranny. In contrast, the artist himself was less comfortable as a visible provocateur (while his popularity in Iran never diminished—despite his years in exile— he remained barely known outside of art circles in his newly adopted country). Interviews with friends and critics are interwoven with stills and footage in this solid biographical portrait. Recommended. (P. Hall)